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Post by OldStokie on Sept 16, 2020 18:24:59 GMT
It's difficult to imagine the last 30 years of supporting our club without input from Smudge & Co. The fanzine was a breath of fresh air, and then The Oatie board, which was/is responsible for lifelong special friendships being formed, and then the Sentinel pieces told entirely from a fan's point of view.
Great stuff, so a million thanks for everything Martin.
Mick.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2020 19:44:32 GMT
I was gutted when the oatcake came to an end and I’m gutted that Martin’s no longer going to be writing his column. He has a unique ability to capture the thoughts, hopes and fears of so many of us. My only criticism is that the one time I had the honour to buy him a pint (and I can’t quite get my head around this) I found out that he prefers larger to bitter - unbelievable!! German weissbeer though. Very nice 👌
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Post by stuammo on Sept 16, 2020 22:37:48 GMT
Top man smudge. Great work over the years on here, in the sentivale and of course the magnificent oatcake.
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Post by RAF on Sept 17, 2020 3:51:31 GMT
It's difficult to imagine the last 30 years of supporting our club without input from Smudge & Co. The fanzine was a breath of fresh air, and then The Oatie board, which was/is responsible for lifelong special friendships being formed, and then the Sentinel pieces told entirely from a fan's point of view. Great stuff, so a million thanks for everything Martin. Mick. I agree with all the above apart from unfortunately I became good mates with a fucking miserable pissy slippered old shitbag in the process! 😉 Cheers Smudge x H
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Sept 17, 2020 9:41:23 GMT
Always enjoyed your columns Smudge you will be sadly missed.
VIS UNITA FORTIOR
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Post by Kenilworth_Stokies on Sept 17, 2020 12:07:21 GMT
During the darkest days of the likes of the Ball or Little eras, there were times when it felt like the weight of crushing disappointment had given supporters ample reasons just to not bother coming back. Why put yourselves through this continual despair? The gallows humour of The Oatcake gave us just such a reason. It's a big part of why the club remained well supported down in Division 3, and why ultimately we did bounce back.
Smudge and co can rightly be regarded comparably for their services to Stoke City FC, alongside any manager, player or actual employee of the club.
It's over to the new generation now.
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Post by kidcrewbob on Sept 17, 2020 12:16:16 GMT
Absolute legend - done so much for supporters and the club for decades.......thanks fellah - end of an era....
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Post by harryspotters on Sept 17, 2020 12:36:01 GMT
During the darkest days of the likes of the Ball or Little eras, there were times when it felt like the weight of crushing disappointment had given supporters ample reasons just to not bother coming back. Why put yourselves through this continual despair? The gallows humour of The Oatcake gave us just such a reason. It's a big part of why the club remained well supported down in Division 3, and why ultimately we did bounce back. Smudge and co can rightly be regarded comparably for their services to Stoke City FC, alongside any manager, player or actual employee of the club. It's over to the new generation now. I could not agree more with "Smudge and co can rightly be regarded comparably for their services to Stoke City FC, alongside any manager, player or actual employee of the club". A club is its fans and the community that it represents. All to often this gets forgotten when it easier to focus on players, stadia and boardrooms. I no longer live in Stoke but our club has a reputation based on the fans and its community values. This is in no small part because of the work of Smudge and others whom have contributed to the Oatcake and ventures such as this very message board to keep that bond - even though just like a marriage it has ups and downs. In fact nothing embodies those ups and downs better than the pages of my Oatcake back issues. I know some managers read the Oatcake - some did not (probably wise in some cases) and some even used them in team talks. Whilst I have not always agreed with Smudge and co's views - what is clear is that all the words come from the perspective of promoting the long term wellbeing of the club and its partnership with the fans/broader community. In an age where social media is driven by instantaneous judgement maybe this style is not in vogue - yes a new generation is needed as everything moves on. However, I hope that whomever becomes the 'voice' of the supporters in the future remembers that whilst they may not be elected by the fans - they have a responsibly to represent them with a view to the long term. We are lucky to have Smudge on our team. Thank you Sir.
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Post by kezzaed on Sept 17, 2020 17:32:47 GMT
Thank you and well done Smudge, I have truly appreciated and enjoyed all your 'ard work. You have been a service to our club. All the best. Legend
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Post by holdmedelilah on Sept 17, 2020 20:18:31 GMT
Come on Benj, this is right up your street. This notion has really freaked me. I’m off to inhale large quantities of Night Nurse
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Post by kentpotter on Sept 17, 2020 20:19:21 GMT
A wonderful Stokie who, at an away game at Gillingham, told me his BBQ theory of supporting Stoke: B - Birth (you were born there)
B - Blood (your family were Stokies)
Q - Quirk (you support Stoke for a variety of weird,wonderful and unexplainable reasons!)
Take care Smudge, and thank you.
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Post by surreystokie on Sept 17, 2020 20:40:02 GMT
That performance tonight was for you Smudge. I was so distressed by your exit, if understandable, that I watched it still upset by your departure - though assume that you will always be around when we return to live rather than televised matches. Enjoy the pportunity to relax, like the rest of us.
Thanks from my heart for the pleasure you have brought. Excuse the self pity but Losing Hammersmith Bridge AND you is quite enough for the moment. Now please no hat trick with the closure of the mb.🤗
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Post by riverman on Sept 17, 2020 20:55:38 GMT
The end of an era. Spoke for all supporters with pride, passion and a considerable amount of whit. I'm sure you've got a book inside you somewhere Smudge. Enjoy your "retirement " and a massive thanks for all you've done in giving us fans a voice.
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Post by jarhead on Sept 17, 2020 22:00:27 GMT
Yes a Book please smudge.
All the best and Thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2020 22:16:22 GMT
Smudge I echo many sentiments above and take my hat off to your for dedicating such a big part of your time/life to informing Stoke fans of the facts as you saw them, and usually this view was balanced and measured and gave an honest and fair reflection of the facts. What you said was generally right, and to the ill informed Stoke fans, it was a great way of catching up on the current state of play from the fans point of view. You will be missed greatly By me and thousands out there. Mr Oatcake we salute you.
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Post by mermaidsal on Sept 17, 2020 22:43:39 GMT
Never been sorrier to see anyone go, thanks for everything Smudge xxx
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Post by Marc01 on Sept 17, 2020 22:54:41 GMT
It was always great to read Martin's articles and they will be missed like those in the Oatcake.
No doubt this is down to Sentinel cuts...
They only did a couple of pages of analysis on the Millwall game the other day.
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Post by Kpsje on Sept 17, 2020 23:01:06 GMT
used to love reading the oatcake before kickoff, standing in the old boothen end. happy memories.
thank you smudge.
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